Valeria tended to her wounded hand, carefully bandaging it before joining the family for breakfast. As she poured coffee, Valtor's sympathetic gaze met hers, his tone laced with feigned concern. "Hey, what happened to your hand?" he asked, ensuring the others wouldn't suspect him. Valeria played along, aware of the charade. "Just a minor accident in the kitchen while making coffee." The family's attention shifted to her bandaged hand, their expressions filled with genuine concern. Valtor's performance was convincing; no one would suspect him of being responsible. As the family showered her with sympathy, Valtor helped Valeria sit, serving her breakfast with a tender smile. "You should be more careful, dear," he said, his voice dripping with mock solicitude only Valeria could feel. Valeria's eyes locked onto his, a fleeting moment of tension between them. The facade was intact and the truth was perfectly hidden. Valeria pushed her food around her plate, her appetite los
As the family returned home, Annie's encounter with the mysterious woman weighed heavily on her mind. Though tempted to share her concerns, Annie hesitated, fearing she'd spark unnecessary panic and fear. Instead, she bottled up her worries, allowing them to simmer beneath the surface. The evening unfolded with laughter and conversation, but Annie's smile hid her inner turmoil. As night fell, Annie retreated to her room, her thoughts racing endlessly. The following morning, as Jackson departed for the capital, Valeria got up early and busied herself preparing breakfast. Shortly after she was done, the maids helped her set the dining table while the family came downstairs one after the other. Karan entered the kitchen, seeking coffee, and found Valeria serving the dishes into each bowl. "Ah, it's you," Karan said, smiling. "No wonder the aroma fills the air." Valeria's eyes met Karan's, her smile subtle. "Stop pulling my leg." "I'm being honest", he said trying to c
As they settled into the car, Valeria's curiosity resurfaced. "Who is he?" she asked gently, referring to the blind boy. Zara turned, scanning the surroundings. "Who's who?" Valeria clarified, "The little boy, Enoch. Karan's expression softened. "Oh!!! Well.........Enoch was abandoned at the hospital as a newborn, unfortunately His parents didn't want a blind son." Valeria's heart ached. "That's really heartbreaking." Karan nodded. "Yeah and even worse is, He knows the truth and that hurts him even more despite our attempts to shield him from it." Valeria's curiosity deepened. "Do you think his words are real?" Karan hesitated. "Some say it's mere coincidence; others believe he sees the future. "I for one used to think he did, but today....Zara chimed in, "A woman who tamed the great and mighty Alpha Valtor, Changing him from the social psychopath he was and turned him into a loving husband, can't be in a wrong union. Can you imagine?" Valeria's gaze dropped, unea
Zara's eyes widened as she stepped into the room. Valeria lay on the couch motionless, her chest rising and falling with each gentle breath. But Valeria wasn't the problem, it was the bed that caught Zara's attention. Only one side had been slept in, the other side still neatly made, as if untouched. Zara's mind began to whirl with questions. Why was Valeria sleeping on the couch and not on the bed? Had she and Valtor had a fight? The silence between them seemed oppressive, heavy with unspoken words. She took quiet steps, her eyes scanning the room for any sign of disturbance. The bed's untouched side seemed like a message, a message of separation. Zara's thoughts swirled with possibilities. Something didn't seem right, but she couldn't quite place her fingers around it yet. Her gaze drifted to the balcony door, slightly ajar. Curiosity drew her outside. The cool morning air enveloped her as she pushed open the door. A pillow on the chair caught her attention. She bent, inhali
Still reeling from the earlier commotion, Zara asked the maid to set the table while they retreated to freshen up for lunch. Meanwhile, Annie ascended the stairs, her expression troubled. She entered Alpha Kael's mother's room, her concern palpable. Alpha Kael's mother sensed Annie's unease and immediately grew worried. "Annie, child, what's wrong?" she asked, her voice laced with concern. "Why do you look so troubled." Annie sat beside her, collecting her thoughts. "If you had seen what I saw earlier Mother, you'd be as troubled as i am right now." Annie said, her voice barely above a whisper. Alpha Kael's mother leaned in, curiosity etched on her face. "Please, Annie, elaborate. What exactly is troubling you?" Annie hesitated, choosing her words carefully. "I went downstairs to see what the maids were preparing for lunch and on my way down i heard laughters and sounds in the kitchen and decided to see what was going on. And then, I saw Karan and Valeria and Zara
The household was eerily quiet, as if everyone had simultaneously retreated to their own worlds. Annie and Alpha Kael's mother remained in their respective rooms, lost in thought. Vandora and Lucilia had escaped to the shopping mall, seeking distraction from the tension. Zara's door remained firmly shut, a silent barrier between her and the world. Karan had sought solace at the orphanage, surrounded by innocent smiles. Valeria too had gone to see her dad and hopefully a get a breath of fresh air. But Valtor's whereabouts remained Unknown since he had just stormed out, his absence as unsettling as his presence. At the orphanage, Karan stood transfixed, watching the children's laughter-filled soccer game. Enoch approached from behind, his walking stick tapping softly on the ground. "You look troubled, my friend," Enoch said, his voice warm and wise, as he stood beside Karan. Karan turned, a hint of curiosity on his face. "What makes you say that Enoch?" Enoch smil
Karan's vision blurred as he stumbled backward, Valtor's blow still resonating across his cheek. Valeria's gasp hung in the air, her eyes wide with horror. Zara rushed to Karan's side, her voice shaking. "Karan, oh goodness you're bleeding. What is wrong with you Valtor?" She yelled almost in tears. Karan's hand instinctively touched his stinging lips were there was blood, his gaze locked onto Valtor's. Valtor's face twisted in a snarl, his eyes blazing with drunken fury. As Valtor charged at Karan, his fists clenched, the two men clashed in a flurry of punches. The air echoed with grunts and crashing furniture. Zara screamed, Valeria could do nothing other than cover her mouth in shock. Just as it seemed like the brawl would escalate, Annie stepped forward, her petite frame commanding attention. With a stern expression, Annie delivered swift, sharp slaps to both Valtor's and Karan's faces. "Stop this madness right now!" Annie exclaimed, her voice firm but trembli
Days blended together as Karan and Valeria continued their clandestine trysts, stealing moments whenever darkness fell. Their love grew stronger with each passing night. During the day, they maintained a facade of normalcy and Zara's watchful eyes and clever excuses often provided the perfect cover. "Let's go for a walk," Zara would say, casually inviting Valeria to join her and Karan on some errand or other. As they strolled, Zara would conveniently lag behind or divert her attention, granting Karan and Valeria fleeting moments of privacy. Their whispers, laughter, and stolen glances became a familiar rhythm for her. Under the light of the full moon, their nighttime escapades became more frequent. They'd slip away to hidden clearings, sharing secrets and dreams. Valeria's heart now beat in tandem with Karan's, their love blooming with each passing seconds. For the first time in Valeria's life, love felt truly unconditional. Despite the forbidden nature of their relation